Natural England has published details of the areas, sites and trails that are currently under consideration for its designations programme to March 2017.

The designations programme considers whether places are suitable to become:

• National Parks
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest
• Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas)
• Ramsar sites
• Marine Conservation Zones
• National Nature Reserves
• National Trails

Designated areas, sites and trails are mostly privately owned. Natural England said it works closely with landowners and other stakeholders when assessing whether a place is nationally important and following designation to support continued high quality management.

The following sites are among a number currently under consideration – however, inclusion in the programme is not a commitment to designate.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest:

Crouch and Roach Estuaries (extension), Essex

Flamborough Head (extension), East Yorkshire

Filey Brigg (extension), North Yorkshire

Mid Cornwall Moors (extension), Cornwall

Teesmouth, Cleveland

Pen Park Hole, Bristol

Poole Harbour (extension), Dorset

West Pennine Moors, Lancashire

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty:

Suffolk Coast and Heaths (variation of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)

Marine Special Protection Areas:

Solway Firth

Solent and Dorset Coast

Poole Harbour

Northumberland Marine Area (and associated terrestrial sites)

Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary

Hamford Water

Outer Thames

Liverpool Bay

Greater Wash

Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast

Dungeness to Pett Level

Marine Conservation Zones:

Defra is considering the third phase (tranche) of Marine Conservation Zones with advice from Natural England.